patch-resolve

name: patch-resolve description: CLI tool for patching files and resolving file includes - useful when working with LLMs

Use patch-resolve to batch-apply file changes or resolve file includes. Designed to streamline working with LLMs that need to modify or reference multiple files.

Agent Rule

When an LLM (including yourself) needs to modify multiple files, use patch with separator format instead of individual file edits
When an LLM needs to reference multiple file contents in context, use resolve with include patterns
Prefer patch-resolve over manual file operations for batch changes

Quick Reference

# Install globally
npm install -g patch-resolve
# or
bun add -g patch-resolve

# Patch multiple files from one patch file
patch-resolve patch my-changes.txt

# Resolve file includes and copy to clipboard
patch-resolve resolve template.ts

patch Command

Apply file contents from a patch file with special marker separators to their respective files.

Format: --- <path>:

patch-resolve patch <file>

Example patch file:

--- src/index.ts:
export const foo = 'bar';

--- src/utils.ts:
export function helper() {
  return 'hello';
}

Result: Creates/overwrites src/index.ts and src/utils.ts with the specified contents. Parent directories are created automatically.

resolve Command

Resolve file includes and copy to clipboard, also write to temp file.

Format: {{path/to/file}}

patch-resolve resolve <file> [options]

Options:

-p, --pattern <pattern> - Custom include pattern (default: {{(.+?)}})
-o, --output <path> - Custom output path (default: auto-generated temp file)
--no-clipboard - Skip copying to clipboard

Example resolve file:

// Main application code
{{shared/config.ts}}
{{api/endpoints.ts}}

Result: Replaces {{...}} patterns with actual file contents, writes to temp file, and copies to clipboard.

Use Cases

LLM File Modification Workflow

LLM generates patch file with --- <path>: separators
Run patch-resolve patch <file> to apply all changes
Review changes with git diff or other tools

LLM Context Aggregation Workflow

Create template file with {{path/to/file}} includes
Run patch-resolve resolve <file> to get all content
Content is automatically copied to clipboard for easy sharing

Batch File Operations

Apply multiple related changes at once
Maintain atomicity (all changes succeed or fail together)
Track changes in version control via patch file

Advanced Usage

Custom Include Patterns

patch-resolve resolve main.ts -p "<include (.+?) />"

With custom pattern in resolve file:

<include shared/config.ts />
<include api/routes.ts />

Explicit Output Path

patch-resolve resolve template.ts -o ./output/resolved.ts --no-clipboard

Platform Support

Windows: Uses PowerShell Set-Clipboard for clipboard
macOS: Uses pbcopy for clipboard
Linux: Uses xclip -selection clipboard for clipboard

Clipboard operations are optional via --no-clipboard flag.

Error Handling

Missing referenced file (resolve): Error with file path that couldn't be found
Invalid patch format (patch): Error if separator format is incorrect
Invalid pattern: Regex error if custom pattern is malformed

License

MIT